The federal government recognizes the impact cloud computing has on both government workers and everyday users, and government agencies are showing enthusiasm for potential cost savings associated with cloud.
But layers of memorandums and guidelines involving cloud computing, shared services, and data center consolidation, supplemented by the recent digital government strategy, are holding back and adding quite a bit of confusion to a cohesive cloud strategy.
What’s needed? Simplicity. Granted, government IT and simplicity rarely occupy the same sentence, but an overarching strategy should supplant the bits and pieces that make up compliance requirements and documents originating in the Office of Management and Budget.
“The comprehensive guide would eliminate redundancy and provide agencies with clear guidance on how to prioritize initiatives. It would go a long way toward reducing the cost of government and improving the delivery of services to citizens,” according to Michael Hettinger, director of the Public Sector Innovation Group at the Software and Information Industry Association. Read More









